Customs administrations have a full array of tools and technologies at their disposal to test material and substances – both in the field and in their labs. These tools all have benefits and limitations. This article introduces an innovation which enables field officers to analyse trace materials left on any items and obtain the specific name of a trace level substance. Not only can they confirm or allay their suspicions rapidly, but they can also proceed to physical inspection with all the precautions needed.
Chemical Analysis: The Difference Between Lab and Field Tools
Mass spectrometry (MS) is the gold standard technology used by all forensic crime labs to analyse chemical substances. This technology provides Customs officers with everything they need: high molecular specificity, reproducibility, accuracy and sensitivity to low parts per billion (PPB). The limitations of this technology, in terms of getting it into the hands of Customs officers, are not insignificant. Traditional mass spectrometry instruments weigh 400 pounds, need an air-conditioned, humidity-controlled room and require a large supply of helium or other carrier gas. The outcome, due to these limitations, is that mass spectroscopy is relegated to the forensic lab. This left room for other, field-based technologies to fill the need for high-fidelity chemical analysis in the field.
This need was filled by two technologies: Ion Mobility Spectroscopy (IMS) and vibrational spectroscopy techniques such as Raman and FTIR. These two capabilities in a single portable system have been, to a large degree, mutually exclusive, with the technologies being separated by their degree of specificity and their level of detection.
IMS is most familiar to the air traveling community when airport security, such as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), pulls travellers aside to check their bags for explosives using a trace explosivesdetection device (TEDD). When airport security use a TEDD, they are looking for anything invisible to the human eye to determine whther a traveller has been in proximity to, or has recently handled, explosives. The adoption of IMS in the airport security sphere made it relatively easy for this technology to also be employed in other security arenas, such as Customs and borders. The primary limitation is that IMS does not have the ability to make an exact identification of a substance. Functionally, IMS cannot tell the difference between TNT and DNT (a precursor to TNT), as it classifies everything into families – in this case, explosives.
Vibrational spectroscopy systems are ubiquitous in the public safety space, but are relatively new tools for Customs officers. These are bulk identification technologies, which are very good at analysing a substance by creating a molecular fingerprint that can then be measured against tens of thousands of chemicals in a library of known chemicals. These technologies are commonly employed by law enforcement and hazardous materials response teams to identify puddles, spills and powders that are visible to the human eye, often in large (bulk) quantities. The response provided by these systems is extremely precise, even among closely-related chemicals like TNT and DNT, which are correctly differentiated by vibrational spectroscopy systems every time. The drawbacks of these technologies are twofold: first, they can only identify a substance that is visible to the human eye, and second, the high degree of specificity they provide is outstanding for pure substances, but challenging in the case of mixtures. The smaller the component within a mixture, the more likely it is that vibrational spectroscopy will fail to detect it. Once you get below 10%, it is extremely likely that only the major component will be identified, and any minor components will remain undetected. While there are situations where pure forms of drugs are found by Customs, it is generally the case that officers will encounter mixtures of compounds where controlled substances such as fentanyl, for example, are in the 1% to 3% range.
Mass Spectrometry Goes Into the Field
Mass spectrometry offers two distinct advantages in a single device, in that it has almost the specificity of FTIR and Raman, as well as the trace level analysis capabilities of the IMS systems. Getting it out of the lab and into the field has been made possible by the advent of highpressure mass spectrometry (HPMS). HPMS leverages microscale geometries, high frequency electronics and high efficiency vacuum pumps, all leading to significant reductions in device size and power consumption. Today’s HPMS systems have been scaled down from 181 kg (400 lbs) to 3.6 kg (8 lbs), and run on rechargeable batteries. Microscale mass spectrometry offers trace detection and identification of chemicals at the point of need, in an easy-to-use handheld device.
Regular software updates enable users to identify new substances, such as novel synthetic drugs. In addition, the devices are equipped with machine learning software that can identify more than 2,000 fentanyl analogues in addition to hundreds of other drugs, such as methamphetamines, xylazine and more.
Using a high performance, handheld mass spectrometry device enables Customs officers to deploy this technology right at the point of need; they can quickly and reliably detect materials and determine appropriate action by taking a simple swab. Take the New Zealand Customs Service, for example. Their officers recently positively identified narcotics concealed in containers of waterproofing materials using swabs taken from the handle of the bucket – where traces of narcotics were left behind by the people who packed the containers – and running them through a handheld mass spectrometer with trace analytics. Positive indications for methamphetamine hydrochloride were returned in seconds. For confirmation purposes, the process was replicated with non-suspect items (which returned negative results), at which point officers carefully took apart the containers where multiple small packages of methamphetamine were located.
The entire airport security apparatus is built on an unwritten rule – every bulk substance leaves behind trace evidence. The same principle applies to Customs operations. A smuggler who is packing drugs into hidden compartments in a car, for example, or hiding them in a tub of construction materials, will inadvertently make physical contact with the object being used to transport the drugs. This means that Customs can use HPMS to analyse trace materials left on vehicle steering wheels, door handles, or the handle of a tub. This transferred trace material is rich in information that helps to alert Customs officers, allowing them to increase their operational speed by focusing their attention on where to search and removing some of the guesswork. While the presence of a trace itself is an important factor, no less important is the ability to obtain the specific name of the trace level substance concerned.
In another example, a Customs officer who suspected that a shipment of fire extinguishers were fake took a swab from the outside of one of the extinguishers near the top, where it was likely to have been handled. HPMS quickly identified the presence of methamphetamine.
To confirm, Customs officers used a power saw to cut the extinguishers in half and found them to be packed with methamphetamine. Had the swab revealed that the extinguishers were packed with fentanyl, the officers might have used a different tactic to cut them open, or employed additional layers of personal protective equipment. Identification allows Customs to speed their investigations in other ways too, especially where a technology like HPMS or Raman is used. Customs officers not only encounter different chemical substances, but also have to implement different laws and regulations for controlled substances. Most systems that perform identification provide a chemical abstract number (CAS), which is a unique numerical identifier that is most often tied to regulatory codes regardless of the terminology employed.
The primary goal of all these technologies goes beyond enforcing the law, in that it also extends to protecting Customs officers who operate at ports of entry. Many of these technologies, including HPMS, enable officers to identify exactly what drug may be present before they start cutting into boxes, packages and other containers. If fentanyl is present, officers will need to follow additional precautions to ensure that their exposure, and that of any drug sniffing dogs they may use, is either minimized or eliminated altogether. Identification at trace level combines the best features of two great technologies into a single tool that increases operational trace level combines the best features of two great technologies into a single tool that increases operational speed and enhances safety, while providing explicit answers. There is no doubt that the use of trace detection combined with identification in the field saves precious time and supports Customs officers when and where they need it most.
About the Author
As Senior Director of Business Development, John Johnson oversees the strategic direction and market adoption of the 908 Devices handheld mass spectrometer device, an industry-leading trace identification solution. John has served in many roles over the course of his 30 years in public safety, launching 17 different products in over 61 countries and working with more than 312 public safety organizations. Since 2001, John has focused his efforts on changing mindsets and driving the acceptance of novel technological approaches for identifying explosives, chemical weapons and narcotics by bringing technology used in forensic laboratories into the field, including mass spectrometry, FTIR, Raman, and Rapid DNA. John’s influence in these areas has led to standard industry practices and broad technology adoption, all aimed at improving public safety outcomes.
This article was originally published in WCO News, Issue 3/ 2023, https://mag.wcoomd.org
[post_title] => Identifying Chemicals Precisely Through Trace Analysis is Now a Reality, Opening New Doors for Customs Officers
[post_excerpt] => This article, authored by our own John Johnson, was originally published in WCO News, Issue 3/ 2023. This article introduces MX908 which enables field officers to analyze trace materials left on any items and obtain the specific name of a trace-level substance. Not only can they confirm or allay their suspicions rapidly, but they can also proceed to physical inspection with all the precautions needed.
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Originally published in the online edition of Evidence Technology Magazine, Jan 2022. Reprinted with permission from Wordsmith Publishing.
Evidence Technology Magazine
The magazine dedicated exclusively to the technology of evidence collection, processing, and preservation.
Prioritizing Officer Safety in the Field as Fentanyl Fatalities Rise
The drug world is complicated and scary, but there’s less reason to fear when you have these officer safety measures in place.
Written by Adam Yanner
In order to respond to these threats—both known and unknown— my fellow officers should refresh their protocols, consistently run drills to stay ahead of threats, look to technology as a safeguard, share their findings with fellow officers and the community and constantly stay vigilant.
Early in my career while working at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, my biggest concern was illegal production of methamphetamine and working tirelessly to shut down meth labs that continued to pop up across the state. As time passed, I joined the Clandestine Laboratory Response Unit where I’m now focused on new, emerging threats—both seen and invisible to the naked eye. The most terrifying of these is fentanyl, the highly fatal substance that can hide on surfaces and in the air in trace amounts.
Approximately three years ago, fentanyl quickly became more popular among manufacturers of illicit drugs, and now it’s everywhere, laced and hidden among so many other types of drugs. Its presence makes our jobs infinitely harder because we have to make sure any substance an officer or the public comes into contact with is properly analyzed so we know whether HAZMAT is needed, if we can safely handle packages to protect officer safety or if we need to evacuate the area.
The prevalence of fentanyl is staggering.
According to the CDC, 130 people in the U.S. die every day from an overdose from fentanyl. That’s likely because fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin, and 100 times more potent than morphine, per the DEA.
When officers and other first responders step onto a scene, there’s no telling what individuals, situations, and substances they may encounter. With the increased presence of fentanyl, officers f ind themselves at risk of accidental exposures, which is exactly why establishing officer safety measures is so imperative.
In my work at the NC State Bureau of Investigation, and specifically in the Clandestine Lab Unit, I’ve established a few best practices to ensure the protection of our officers. I think these best practices will be helpful to other labs, investigation teams, and emergency response teams around the country.
1. Establish procedures and protocol You need a strong plan to serve as your foundation, even as the situation evolves. For instance, the first step in analyzing a scene is to determine if there are any suspicious substances present and what form they appear to be in. It may not always be apparent to the naked eye, which is why it’s critical to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) – gloves at minimum.
For example, I recently responded to the scene of a crime where a woman was found unresponsive in a shed-like structure. As EMTs attempted to revive her, we simultaneously conducted a threat analysis of the scene where it was determined there were likely drugs and drug paraphernalia present. After initial testing, we confirmed there was a significant amount of fentanyl located near the deceased, at which point we removed all personnel from the scene to don full protective equipment and determine the best approach to methodically comb the environment for additional safety hazards. We took
these additional precautious because the fentanyl was in powder form and could be easily dispersed and potentially inhaled. We had to approach the scene with extreme caution, even though at first glance it looked fairly safe.
Knowing protocols for various scenarios and training is extremely important for the health and safety of first responders. Especially with the prevalence of fentanyl and how deadly it can be upon inhalation, it’s imperative to take extra care.
2. Leverage technology Narcotic Identification Kits (NIK Kits) used to be the standard, as they are a low-cost screening tool, but accuracy can vary by product. That’s why the first time I used a portable, high-pressure mass spectrometer, like the MX908—a handheld device for trace detection of drugs—I was impressed with its lightning-fast speed and accuracy. Now, it goes with me everywhere.
There are quite a few situations where this tool has come in handy in protecting myself and my fellow officers, including:
— Determining contents of a mystery package on a military base. A soldier returned to his home and found a suspicious package on his doorstep that was labeled “hazardous materials.” We were called in to assess the situation as the threat of explosives on a military base was a concern, but a negative result for explosives through the MX908 allowed us to assess other threats. The package ultimately tested positive for cocaine.
— Analyzing mail at corrections facilities.I recently visited a jail where corrections officers were responsible for sorting through inmates’ mail. This has always been a safety issue, as contraband is regularly sent through the post. When we ran trace swabs from multiple letters and then analyzed them on the MX908, we found many contained synthetic cannabinoids. In addition to the officer safety concern and the peril they face if not wearing proper PPE, there’s also an
With the increased presence of fentanyl, officers find themselves at risk of accidental exposures, which is exactly why establishing officer safety measures is so imperative.
Once you have procedures in place and technology on standby to support, it’s critical to run through drills and have regular meetings that provide more detail, so officers understand the evolving threat landscape.
inmate safety issue.
When you’re assessing what kinds of technology to utilize in your own department, consider the following properties:
•Speed: There’s no time to waste, so how quickly can you assess the situation? For example, the MX908 device can return results of trace drugs in under a minute, enabling our teams to respond quickly and render a scene safe.
•Accuracy and Sensitivity: Ensure you have confidence that you’re dealing with a substance that a technology has accurately detected. You may proceed with a search differently if you find out a substance is cocaine versus fentanyl. Or it may be a mixture of a few different drugs, so you have to make sure your tech is sensitive enough to get an accurate read.
•Reliability: If you’re conducting 15 or more analyses per week on different samples, you need to be sure you can rely on the initial results presented and have zero room for error or false alarms. It’s imperative to get it right consistently.
•Portability: In many scenarios, we have to assess on-site to determine if or how we can proceed with an investigation.
Technology is an effective tool for your arsenal, and one that requires careful consideration and planning. Not all tech is created equal.
3. Conduct regular training Once you have procedures in place and technology on standby to support, it’s critical to run through drills and have regular meetings that provide more detail, so officers understand the evolving threat landscape. Even something as simple as updating and distributing a bulletin with current information about crimes, tactics for fentanyl discovery or other drugs circulating in the community can be a huge benefit.
So many times in my career, I’ve seen departments do a great job of educating their staff, but not share information with other communities that could benefit from their intel. That’s a huge, missed opportunity to protect fellow officers and collaborate on drug busts.
In a similar vein, it’s also important to advise communities of these threats so they can remain constantly vigilant.
Growing threats to consider While fentanyl is driving the headlines and prevalent in many communities, the “next best thing” is right around the corner. Recently we’ve started to see the emergence of Xylazine—an animal tranquilizer—and Eutylone—a stimulant—and higher prevalence of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. In fact, the DEA issued its first public safety alert in six years after seizing more than 9.5 million counterfeit prescription pills— laced with fentanyl—in the first nine months of 2021.
I’ve dedicated my career to keeping drugs and criminals off the street. In order to respond to these threats—both known and unknown—my fellow officers should refresh their protocols, consistently run drills to stay ahead of threats, look to technology as a safeguard, share their findings with fellow officers and the community and constantly stay vigilant. The drug world is complicated and scary, but there’s less reason to fear when you have these officer safety measures in place.
About the Author Adam Tanner is a Special Agent at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
[post_title] => Prioritizing Officer Safety in the Field as Fentanyl Fatalities Rise
[post_excerpt] => Originally published in the online edition of Evidence Technology Magazine, Jan 2022.
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From this article in CBNW Magazine, learn about the MX908, a revolutionary handheld mass spectrometer that enables first responders worldwide to safely detect an array of solid, liquid, vapor, and aerosol threats at the point of need. Utilizing high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS), it sheds the weight of traditional lab equipment, making gold-standard analytical power field-deployable for detecting everything from traditional chemical warfare agents to emerging threats, like Novichoks and potent synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The MX908's continuous adaptation, including the development of a predictive fentanyl classifier and the Aero module for aerosol analysis, demonstrates 908 Devices' commitment to equipping responders for an evolving threat landscape.
[post_title] => Multi-Mission Threat Detection in Real Time
[post_excerpt] => This article originally appeared in CBNW Magazine, January 2022.
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908 Devices is playing a key role in modernizing CBRN defense with its MX908 and suite of FTIR-based tools, delivering lab-quality chemical detection in the field. With over 3,000 MX908 units deployed in 55 countries and 15,000+ trained users, the company is meeting growing global demand for real-time, high-sensitivity identification. Recent deployments to Ukraine underscore its relevance, while innovations like the Team Leader software platform and 24/7 forensic support reflect its commitment to operational agility, data-driven intelligence, and long-term customer partnership.
908 Devices expanded its chemical detection capabilities by acquiring RedWave Technology, combining its high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS) expertise with RedWave’s advanced Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) technology. This acquisition creates a more comprehensive solution for detecting and identifying chemicals across various scenarios, from field forensics to hazardous material response. The move also opens new opportunities for cross-selling, shared training, and customer support, positioning 908 Devices as a key player in both public safety and military markets.
[post_title] => Catching a RedWave
[post_excerpt] => Explore how 908 Devices' acquisition of RedWave Technology is revolutionizing chemical detection with advanced mass spectrometry and FTIR solutions, expanding capabilities for public safety and military applications.
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Recent reports from the CDC and DEA reveal a promising decline in opioid overdose deaths for the first time since 2018, alongside a decrease in counterfeit pills containing lethal doses of fentanyl. However, synthetic opioids and emerging substances like xylazine and nitazenes continue to pose significant threats. This article explores the evolving landscape of the opioid epidemic, the challenges posed by potent new drugs, and the need for modern detection technologies. It also highlights collaborative efforts from federal agencies to local communities, emphasizing the importance of education, advanced tools, and public awareness in combating this crisis.
Originally published in the Domestic Preparedness Journal digital edition on January 22, 2025. Reprinted with permission from the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Domestic Preparedness.
[post_title] => The Current State of the Opioid Crisis & Other Emerging Threats
[post_excerpt] => This article examines the evolving opioid crisis, highlighting the need for advanced detection technologies and coordinated prevention efforts to combat synthetic opioid crisis.
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[post_title] => Trace Detection Tools for Synthetic Opioids
[post_excerpt] => As the synthetic opioid crisis evolves, detection technologies are being enhanced to ensure that synthetic opioids can be detected, categorized, and/or identified.
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Introduction
Customs administrations have a full array of tools and technologies at their disposal to test material and substances – both in the field and in their labs. These tools all have benefits and limitations. This article introduces an innovation which enables field officers to analyse trace materials left on any items and obtain the specific name of a trace level substance. Not only can they confirm or allay their suspicions rapidly, but they can also proceed to physical inspection with all the precautions needed.
Chemical Analysis: The Difference Between Lab and Field Tools
Mass spectrometry (MS) is the gold standard technology used by all forensic crime labs to analyse chemical substances. This technology provides Customs officers with everything they need: high molecular specificity, reproducibility, accuracy and sensitivity to low parts per billion (PPB). The limitations of this technology, in terms of getting it into the hands of Customs officers, are not insignificant. Traditional mass spectrometry instruments weigh 400 pounds, need an air-conditioned, humidity-controlled room and require a large supply of helium or other carrier gas. The outcome, due to these limitations, is that mass spectroscopy is relegated to the forensic lab. This left room for other, field-based technologies to fill the need for high-fidelity chemical analysis in the field.
This need was filled by two technologies: Ion Mobility Spectroscopy (IMS) and vibrational spectroscopy techniques such as Raman and FTIR. These two capabilities in a single portable system have been, to a large degree, mutually exclusive, with the technologies being separated by their degree of specificity and their level of detection.
IMS is most familiar to the air traveling community when airport security, such as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), pulls travellers aside to check their bags for explosives using a trace explosivesdetection device (TEDD). When airport security use a TEDD, they are looking for anything invisible to the human eye to determine whther a traveller has been in proximity to, or has recently handled, explosives. The adoption of IMS in the airport security sphere made it relatively easy for this technology to also be employed in other security arenas, such as Customs and borders. The primary limitation is that IMS does not have the ability to make an exact identification of a substance. Functionally, IMS cannot tell the difference between TNT and DNT (a precursor to TNT), as it classifies everything into families – in this case, explosives.
Vibrational spectroscopy systems are ubiquitous in the public safety space, but are relatively new tools for Customs officers. These are bulk identification technologies, which are very good at analysing a substance by creating a molecular fingerprint that can then be measured against tens of thousands of chemicals in a library of known chemicals. These technologies are commonly employed by law enforcement and hazardous materials response teams to identify puddles, spills and powders that are visible to the human eye, often in large (bulk) quantities. The response provided by these systems is extremely precise, even among closely-related chemicals like TNT and DNT, which are correctly differentiated by vibrational spectroscopy systems every time. The drawbacks of these technologies are twofold: first, they can only identify a substance that is visible to the human eye, and second, the high degree of specificity they provide is outstanding for pure substances, but challenging in the case of mixtures. The smaller the component within a mixture, the more likely it is that vibrational spectroscopy will fail to detect it. Once you get below 10%, it is extremely likely that only the major component will be identified, and any minor components will remain undetected. While there are situations where pure forms of drugs are found by Customs, it is generally the case that officers will encounter mixtures of compounds where controlled substances such as fentanyl, for example, are in the 1% to 3% range.
Mass Spectrometry Goes Into the Field
Mass spectrometry offers two distinct advantages in a single device, in that it has almost the specificity of FTIR and Raman, as well as the trace level analysis capabilities of the IMS systems. Getting it out of the lab and into the field has been made possible by the advent of highpressure mass spectrometry (HPMS). HPMS leverages microscale geometries, high frequency electronics and high efficiency vacuum pumps, all leading to significant reductions in device size and power consumption. Today’s HPMS systems have been scaled down from 181 kg (400 lbs) to 3.6 kg (8 lbs), and run on rechargeable batteries. Microscale mass spectrometry offers trace detection and identification of chemicals at the point of need, in an easy-to-use handheld device.
Regular software updates enable users to identify new substances, such as novel synthetic drugs. In addition, the devices are equipped with machine learning software that can identify more than 2,000 fentanyl analogues in addition to hundreds of other drugs, such as methamphetamines, xylazine and more.
Using a high performance, handheld mass spectrometry device enables Customs officers to deploy this technology right at the point of need; they can quickly and reliably detect materials and determine appropriate action by taking a simple swab. Take the New Zealand Customs Service, for example. Their officers recently positively identified narcotics concealed in containers of waterproofing materials using swabs taken from the handle of the bucket – where traces of narcotics were left behind by the people who packed the containers – and running them through a handheld mass spectrometer with trace analytics. Positive indications for methamphetamine hydrochloride were returned in seconds. For confirmation purposes, the process was replicated with non-suspect items (which returned negative results), at which point officers carefully took apart the containers where multiple small packages of methamphetamine were located.
The entire airport security apparatus is built on an unwritten rule – every bulk substance leaves behind trace evidence. The same principle applies to Customs operations. A smuggler who is packing drugs into hidden compartments in a car, for example, or hiding them in a tub of construction materials, will inadvertently make physical contact with the object being used to transport the drugs. This means that Customs can use HPMS to analyse trace materials left on vehicle steering wheels, door handles, or the handle of a tub. This transferred trace material is rich in information that helps to alert Customs officers, allowing them to increase their operational speed by focusing their attention on where to search and removing some of the guesswork. While the presence of a trace itself is an important factor, no less important is the ability to obtain the specific name of the trace level substance concerned.
In another example, a Customs officer who suspected that a shipment of fire extinguishers were fake took a swab from the outside of one of the extinguishers near the top, where it was likely to have been handled. HPMS quickly identified the presence of methamphetamine.
To confirm, Customs officers used a power saw to cut the extinguishers in half and found them to be packed with methamphetamine. Had the swab revealed that the extinguishers were packed with fentanyl, the officers might have used a different tactic to cut them open, or employed additional layers of personal protective equipment. Identification allows Customs to speed their investigations in other ways too, especially where a technology like HPMS or Raman is used. Customs officers not only encounter different chemical substances, but also have to implement different laws and regulations for controlled substances. Most systems that perform identification provide a chemical abstract number (CAS), which is a unique numerical identifier that is most often tied to regulatory codes regardless of the terminology employed.
The primary goal of all these technologies goes beyond enforcing the law, in that it also extends to protecting Customs officers who operate at ports of entry. Many of these technologies, including HPMS, enable officers to identify exactly what drug may be present before they start cutting into boxes, packages and other containers. If fentanyl is present, officers will need to follow additional precautions to ensure that their exposure, and that of any drug sniffing dogs they may use, is either minimized or eliminated altogether. Identification at trace level combines the best features of two great technologies into a single tool that increases operational trace level combines the best features of two great technologies into a single tool that increases operational speed and enhances safety, while providing explicit answers. There is no doubt that the use of trace detection combined with identification in the field saves precious time and supports Customs officers when and where they need it most.
About the Author
As Senior Director of Business Development, John Johnson oversees the strategic direction and market adoption of the 908 Devices handheld mass spectrometer device, an industry-leading trace identification solution. John has served in many roles over the course of his 30 years in public safety, launching 17 different products in over 61 countries and working with more than 312 public safety organizations. Since 2001, John has focused his efforts on changing mindsets and driving the acceptance of novel technological approaches for identifying explosives, chemical weapons and narcotics by bringing technology used in forensic laboratories into the field, including mass spectrometry, FTIR, Raman, and Rapid DNA. John’s influence in these areas has led to standard industry practices and broad technology adoption, all aimed at improving public safety outcomes.
This article was originally published in WCO News, Issue 3/ 2023, https://mag.wcoomd.org
[post_title] => Identifying Chemicals Precisely Through Trace Analysis is Now a Reality, Opening New Doors for Customs Officers
[post_excerpt] => This article, authored by our own John Johnson, was originally published in WCO News, Issue 3/ 2023. This article introduces MX908 which enables field officers to analyze trace materials left on any items and obtain the specific name of a trace-level substance. Not only can they confirm or allay their suspicions rapidly, but they can also proceed to physical inspection with all the precautions needed.
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